Sprayer regulator



Nv. 7, 1950 J. KAILENTA SPRAYER REGULATOR Filed Dec. l2, 1946 Patented Nov. 7, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in sprayers. The invention is particularly concerned with sprayers of the type generally employed in applying wax to such surfaces as floors and the like.

It is well known, and I have found by actual experience, that household sprayers now generally employed for applying wax are difficult to use properly by the average home worker. For best results most types of wax should be sprayed on the surface being Worked evenly and with a fine inist. The obtaining and maintaining of the desired fine mist depends upon the angle at which the sprayer is held. Such is a factor that is either ignored by, or is unknown to, the average person when applying wax to a given surface.

The adjustments provided on such sprayers as are now used for applying Wax in mist form do "not allow for the increased gravity flow of waX when 'the spraying angle is increased. Accordingly, the sprayers now generally known and used, require a high degree of skill and experience in the employment thereof with the result that the average user soon discards the sprayer and reverts to the old hand method of applying the wax.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a srayer so equipped as to render the effective use thereof possible without requiring any degree of skill or practice on the part of the user and whereby the flow of liquid wax is substantially and automatically controlled as the angular position of the sprayer is shifted or varied to the end that the wax will be emitted from the sprayer only when the latter is held at that angle which will insure an emission of the wax in the form of a fine mist which experience has taught to be the proper mode of applying wax for best results and without waste of time, effort and material.

In accordance with the present invention, the sprayer is equipped with an efficient gravity valve controlled by a novel and efficient pilot lever and weight assembly for operating the valve as the angular position of the sprayer is shifted or varied. Also, in accordance with this invention, the pilot lever and weight assembly for the valve is of a character as to permit of a wide range of adjustments to insure maximum efficiency under substantially all conditions of use.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will be best understood from a reading of the following description in reference to the accompanying drawings in which is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention, f

and wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational View of a sprayer, certain portions being broken away, illustrating the application of the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a control valve assembly constituting a salient feature of the invention, certain parts being shown in section and others in elevation, with the valve in open position; and

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are detail sectional views taken substantially on the lines 3 3, 4 4 and 5-5, respectively, of Figure 2.

For purposes of illustration I have shown my invention as applied to that type of wax-sprayer fembodying a receptacle 5 for the wax to be applied to the desired surface by spraying, a removable top 6 for the receptacle, and a conventional dispensing mechanism mounted on and carried by the top and comprising, generally, a cylindrical body'l equipped at one end with a discharge or blast nozzle 8, through which the wax may be dispensed in the form of a fine mist. The dispensing mechanism may be either of the selfcontained hand pump type of known assembly or of the type adapted to have connected therewith 'a remote source of air supply, as for example, an air-compressor. In either event the dispensing mechanism also includes a suction or feed tube 9 that extends from the cylinder 'i through the cap 6 and into the receptacie Y5. This tube 9 feeds the contents of the receptacle 5 to the dispensing mechanism to be discharged in the form of a spray as it comes out of the nozzle 8, and has its inner end open and located at a point near the bottom of the receptacley 5 as shown.

In accordance with the present invention the vsprayer is characterized by having the inner inlet end of the tube 9 formed and placed at an acute angle with the axis of the tube as at IIB, and ron- Ytrolled by a valve II, as the angle of the sprayer is varied or shifted.

The valve II is preferably formed of rubber and is of a shape as to complement the shape of the tube 9 at its inlet IS to the end that effective seating of the valve is assured. This valve is carried on a Weight I2 and is controlled by theweight and a rocker or pilot-lever I3.

For supporting the pilot-lever and Weight assembly referred to in the preceding paragraph` there is provided a bracket I4. This bracket comprises a split tubular clamp I5 that embraces the tube 9 and is secured thereon at the desired position of vertical adjustment by contracting the clamp about the tube through the simple process of tightening up on the bolt and nut assembly I5 associated in the usual manner with opposed ears II formed on the clamp portion I5 of the bracket. Other components of the bracket are lateral arms I8, I9, that extend from the clamp I5, one directly above the other.

Bracket arm I8 is provided with an extension member 2li that has a working t within the bore of the arm, and is secured at the desired position of adjustment lengthwise of the arm through the vin damage to either. with the weight to normallyretain the valve in 'medium of a bolt and nut assembly 2|, the bolt of which extends transversely through the extension 29 and works in slots 22 provided in the arm at diametrically opposite sides of the latter. The outer or 'free end of the arm extension is apertured and bifurcated to accommodate the slotted free end 23 of pilot-lever I3 and a bolt and nut assembly 2li in a manner to provide an efcient pivot connection between the arm Yextension and the pilot-lever, as shown.

Bracket arm I9 is hollow and adjacent its free end is formed with a through slot 25 through which the pilot-lever I3 extends. Housed Within the hollow of the arm I9 is a spring 26 that impinges against the pilot-lever and yieldingly acts thereon in opposition to the weight I2 to prevent a too-forceful seating of the valve I I against the inlet end IU of the tube 9 and as might result The spring also co-acts ing the position o1" the weight I2 on the lever.

This adjustment may be readily accomplished, the weight I2 having in one face thereof a groove 2'! in which is received the free end of lever I3. Bolt and nut assemblies 28 serve to secure the weight at the desired position of adjustment on the lever, the latter being provided with apertures and the weight being provided with pairs of opposed slots 29 to accommodate the bolts of the assemblies 28.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that as the angle of the sprayer Vis shifted while in use spring 25 and weight I2 act in opposition and in response to gravity to reduce or completely stop the now of the contents of the receptacle `5 through the tube 9 by controlling the movement lof the valve II toward or away from its seat Il),

the action of the weight overcoming the action of the spring as the angle increases, tothe end that should the angle be increased beyond a predetermine'd .degree valve I I will move to fully seated i' vstopped when the user of the sprayer increases the angle thereof to a degree where it will have a harmful eiect on the result of the application of the wax. Hence the sprayer embodying the features of my invention is substantially foolproof, a wide range of adjustment being provided for to insure against any increase in the flow ofVV the wax to the dispensing mechanism as the angle at which the sprayer is held is increased beyond that which is determined to be best suited for desirable results.

While .I have 'herein described a preferred embodiment of my invention, nevertheless it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the invention, within the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A sprayer comprising a receptacle portion, a dispensing mechanism including a nozzle and a feed tube, the latter' extending into -the receptacle and having an inlet end near the bottom of .the receptacle, a bracket adjustably mounted on the tube within the receptacle, a rocker-lever supported by the bracket, a weight adjustably mounted on the lever, a valve for the inlet end of the tube carried bythe weight, and a biasing spring mounted on the bracket and impinging on the lever.

2. A sprayer of the type embodying a dispensing mechanism including a feed tube having an inlet end formed to an acute angle with its axis, a bracket adjustably mounted on the tube, a pilotlever, an adjustable pivotal connection between the lever and the bracket, a biasing spring mounted on the bracket and impinging against the lever, a weight, adjustably mounted on the lever, and a valve carried by the weight and adapted to seat against the inlet end of the tube.

3. In a sprayer of the type embodying a ispensing mechanism including a feed tube, a control valve assembly for the inlet of the tube comprising a bracket mounted on the tube, .a rocker having an adjustable pivotal connection with the bracket, a guide arm for the rocker extending from the bracket, a spring mounted on the guide arm and impinging against the rocker, and a valve-equipped weight adjustably mounted on the rocker.

JOHN KAILENTA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS France June 17, 1929 

